Early education - and preschool education in particular - is core to Australia becoming the sort of society we would all like to see – a society that is competent, creative, fair, cooperative, conciliatory, and inclusive.
Within these, the Early Years Learning Framework seeks to foster five goals.
These are that Australian children should have a strong sense of identity, be connected with and contribute to their world, have a strong sense of wellbeing, be confident and involved learners, and be effective communicators.
However, our present reality is far removed from these worthy goals when we consider our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) peoples.
Research reveals 60 per cent of Aboriginal children are developmentally behind their peers when they start school, only 10pc of Aboriginal children graduate from Year 12, and a small three per cent of Aboriginal children complete a university degree.
Australia will not become the nation we desire to build unless these statistics change. It is an issue for all of us to consider and act on.
We (Ngroo) believe these statistics are unacceptable. We believe that as early childhood educators we have the power to change these statistics and ignite Reconciliation.
And that is why an awakening at a mainstream preschool in Sydney’s West became a Pilot Program, and then a mainstream initiative, and is now in the process of becoming a national network that is provided free of charge.
Rather than pursuing simply local goals, we are cooperating with other mainstream preschools and preschool networks to create change.
The issue is larger than one locality. So the response must involve a spirit of cooperation. Ngroo offers what it has learned and achieved to partner with and mentor others.
Together, we can achieve change. We can become the competent, creative, fair, cooperative, and inclusive society envisioned in the EYLF.
The answer must be through mainstream preschools networking; because anything else sidelines the future. And it is our children who will create that future.
We recognise and thank the Aboriginal families of Tregear and the wider Mt Druitt area, our dedicated Ngroo staff, and our Elders, Aunty Gloria Matthews, Aunty Carol Cooper, Aunty Olga Manton and Aunty Rita Wright.
We also appreciate the early encouragement given by the Early Childhood Australia, Hesta, ME Bank, SBS Television's “Living Black” Program, local and regional media, the NSW Department of Human Services, Aboriginal Professor of Law and 2009 Australian of the Year Mick Dodson and the generosity of those financially supporting the program. .
Please consider joining the Ngroo Network as we work for social change to ignite Reconciliation through creating respectful partnerships.
Please contact us for further information
Name:
Jan Wright
Phone:
(02) 9628 0940
Email:
enquiries@ngroo.org.au
Website:
http://ngroo.org.au
Location:
Sydney New South Wales